Business - International Business - Extended with Data Analytics

Overview

Prepare you with the knowledge and professional skills to lead and manage business towards a world of opportunities.



Summary

The MSc International Business aims to allow students to acquire mastery of both the macro and micro contexts of international business, and is designed to enable students to acquire, develop, and integrate international business theory, and develop the skills to then apply this in terms of international business practice. The Masters dissertation provides the opportunity to conceive, design and implement satisfactorily a substantial research project within the broad subject area of international business.



The Extended MSc in International Businessaims to provide an alternative route to postgraduate study at Ulster via the Graduate Certificate in Business. The pre-masters model has been designed essentially as a bridging mechanism for home and international students to progress from undergraduate to postgraduate study at Ulster and will lead to a distinct award, the Graduate Certificate in Business.



The Graduate Certificate in Business takes cognisance of the fact that many international (as well as home) students holding ordinary Bachelor Degrees or equivalent, do not have sufficient academic standing to allow them to meet the entry criteria for study at Masters' level.



Students who have successfully completed the Graduate Certificate in Business and, on achieving an overall average of 50% across all 3 modules, will be in a position to progress to the MSc in International Business. They will be deemed to have met the entry requirements for Master's level study by having demonstrated suitable levels of proficiency in Academic writing skills; Study skills at postgraduate level; Postgraduate research skills; and Discipline-based knowledge and understanding.



The aim of the MSc in International Business is to provide students with an applied knowledge of both the macro- and micro- contexts of international business. Students will acquire, develop and integrate international business theory and develop their skills to then apply this in terms of international business practice. The MSc International Business programme will adopt an enquiry based approach to develop professionals who can drive business success and challenge the accepted conventions of the business world by developing business strategies in real life business contexts and delivering effective business solutions. The programme will develop a range of skills including digital, effective communication and analytical skills, creative thinking, adaptability and resilience, to enhance employability and the lifelong learning capabilities of graduates.



Students who have successfully completed the taught modules associated with the Postgraduate Diploma in International Business to undertake a Master's Dissertation/International Business Project. The Master's Dissertation/International Business Project provides students with the opportunity to conceive, design and implement satisfactorily a substantial research project within the broad subject area of International Business.



The general aim of the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma stages of the International Business programme is to inculcate in students a knowledge of skills in, and an aptitude for, international business. This programme aims to allow students to acquire mastery of both the macro and micro contexts of international business. These programmes will include the ability to acquire, develop, integrate international business theory and develop the skills to then apply this in terms of international business practice.

The first semester comprises three 20 credit modules delivered at level 6 (Research Methods for Postgraduate Students - BMG575; Academic Essentials - BMG625; Enterprise Development -BMG626).



The second/third semesters comprise eight 15 credit modules at level 7 (Global Business in Context - BMG705; International Finance - BMG704; Global Marketing & Sales Development - MKT744; The Digital Landscape - BMG814; International HRM - BMG935; International Business Research Skills - BMG871; International Entrepreneurship - BMG936 and Global Strategy Development & Implementation - BMG872).



Students must successfully complete the 11 taught modules (3 at level 6 and 8 at level 7) before they can progress to the Dissertation - BMG847/International Business Project - BMG858 (worth 60 credit points) in their final semester.

Applicants must have gained:

A third class, pass or ordinary degree, or equivalent from a University of the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland, or from a recognised national awarding body or from institution of another country which has been recognised as being of an equivalent standard; and



In exceptional circumstances, as an alternative, where an individual has substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence demonstrating the meeting of graduate qualities (including subject specific outcomes, as determined by the Course Committee) may be considered as an alternative entrance route. Evidence used to demonstrate graduate qualities may not be used for exemption against modules within the programme.



English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.



Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Attendance

All 3 Graduate Certificate modules are delivered over a 12-week teaching block in each semester. Upon successful completion of the Graduate Ceritifcate (with average of 50% or more), will allow students to progress to MSc International Business. Students who score an average of 40-49% overall, will exit with a Graduate Certificate award only.



MSc modules are delivered in a six-week block format.



The part-time MSc is completed in 2-3 years. Full-time participants can also exit with a PgCert after successful completion of one semester (four modules) or alternatively exit with a PgDip after successful completion of two semesters (eight modules).

Start Date: September 2025.

Career options

Student and employer needs are reflected in the development of this programme and evidenced in the career destinations and further development of our graduates. The nature of the provision is such that it equips individuals for employment in a wide range of international roles within the public and private sectors and a significant number of graduates are successful in gaining promotion in their chosen fields or alter their career paths following completion of their programme of study.



A sample of graduate employers includes:

Marriott Hotel Group

PWC

KPMG (Germany)

Deloitte

Laterooms.com

Halfords

Smile Communications

The European Space Agency

NI Civil Service

O Neills International Sports Ltd

First Derivatives PLC



A number of graduates from these programmes have also undertaken their doctoral studies, both within Ulster University and beyond.